The Remedy

Chapter 14

Aaron POV

I watched as Clara's face looked at Jax and hardened with something like rage. With just the word no, it was clear to everyone watching that they were over. Guess he shouldn't have been so stupid. You don't bring drugs to a small school, and if you do, you hide it somewhere better than the front pocket of your backpack. Apparently he was dumber than even I had suspected. His timing was perfect, though, I wasn't gonna lie. With prom right around the corner, and me single, I knew it was finally time to take Clara as my own.

I watched her rush out of the cafeteria, tears streaming down her face, and my heart softened for her. I wasn't the sympathetic type, but I felt bad for her. I knew she really liked the guy, or she would be with me by now. She was feeling pain. Something I knew all about. This was one person I didn't want to hurt. She really was different.

I just didn't know how to authentically show my emotions and be vulnerable. It had always been an act. If I looked like I didn't care about anyone or anything, it was easier to believe it. The rejection from my father was too much to bear if would let it get to me more than it did. The rumors, the gossip, and the judging eyes of most every student of this school would kill me if I let it.

It stung every time someone told me who they thought I was. Who cared if it was true? I didn't ask to be the way I was now, but at some point it's too late to go back. I couldn't become the perfect son my dad always expected me to be, so why spend my life trying? I decided to become the opposite. That way, if I was the worst version of myself already, I could never disappoint people.

It was then that I realized I was just standing there in the cafeteria, and everyone else had already left to their next classes. My thoughts had taken me to a place I didn't like to think about, a place where I was rejected and hurt, and so I tried to shake it off. I went to the bathroom and ran the cold water over my face.

Standing there, I looked in the mirror. I needed to stop thinking about things so much and just not care. I slapped myself across the face, hard enough to stop my racing thoughts, and with that, I knew I was ready to carry on as the Aaron everybody knew. The Aaron that didn't care.

I walked out of the bathroom with swagger. I didn't have a care in the world. Heck, who even cared if I made it to the next class? Not me. I was about to walk out to my car when I heard sniffling coming from the girls' bathroom. It has to be Clara. Without thinking, I opened the door and walked in. I was already missing my class. Who cared if I was invading another school policy?

I saw her sitting against the bathroom wall with paper towels wadded up around her and in her hands. She looked up as she heard the sound of the door swing open.

I walked closer to her, and she looked surprised to see me.

"Wha.. What are you doing in the girls' ba-athroom?" she asked, stuttering because she was crying.

"I was going to the bathroom, and when I came out, I heard you crying. I couldn't just leave you in here."

"I'm a mess." She sniffed. "You sh-should go."

I wasn't going to leave her like this. I was going to make her forget her hurt. And forget about that Jax.

"Babe, I'm not leavin' you here crying." She looked confused, like she was having an inward battle with herself. Like she was debating whether she should spend any time with me or leave me like the rest of the world has always done to me. I wasn't letting this one get away. I walked over to the wall and slid down right next to her. I put my arms around her and just held her.

"What are you doing, Aaron?" She asked softly.

"I think it's called comforting." I replied. She didn't move away, and we stayed like that until she stopped crying. By that time, my shirt was soaked by her tears but I didn't care as long as I was by her.